The Sacramento State women’s soccer team has lived up to their billing so far, getting their second win in as many games Friday by beating the San Jose State Spartans 2-0.

“I think we did pretty well,” said first-year head coach Randy Dedini after the game. “We had a lot of good things going on.”

The women’s soccer team was picked to finish first in the Big Sky Conference in a preseason coaches’ poll, and has started out strong with back-to-back shutouts. Sophomore goalkeeper Mandy Trojan recorded her fourth career shutout with the victory, and made four saves.

Despite an aggressive first half by the Hornets, the game was scoreless at halftime. The Hornets took 10 shots, three of which were on goal, and greatly limited San Jose State’s opportunities to score. The Spartans attempted only four shots in the first half.

“(The score) was zero to zero, but Sac State was winning,” said Spartan coach Dave Siracusa.

The Hornets didn’t waste much time getting on the scoreboard in the second half, though. Sophomore Katelin Hopping broke the tie with a header off of a cross from senior Katie McCoy in the 51st minute. McCoy followed less than nine minutes later with an unassisted goal in the 60th minute, which is her third this season.

“She’s difficult to defend,” said Siracusa of McCoy. “She’s that special player that makes her teammates better.”

“She’s the motor that keeps the ship running,” Dedini said of his senior team leader. “She’ll outwork every player on the team.”

The Spartans only managed three shots in the second half, being outshot for the game by the Hornets 18-7. The Hornets have hampered opponent’s shots considerably this season, so far outshooting their opposition 40-13.

Siracusa said it was a “poor performance,” by his team. “(Sac State) beat us in every facet of the game,” he said.

“We came out flat,” said Spartan goalkeeper Marissa Dayton. “We needed a big spark at halftime, but that didn’t happen.”

Head coach Randy Dedini’s career record remains flawless, as he notches his second victory in two career games.

San Jose State falls to 0-2-1 on the season with the loss. The Hornets next game is against the Fresno State Bulldogs at 3:30pm on Sunday at Hornet Field. The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season. Sunday’s game is part of a doubleheader with the Hornet men’s soccer team, who will face Oregon State at 1 p.m.

Fernando Gallo can be reached at [email protected]